THE US REPORT

by Kay B. Day

Gov. Mitt Romney sustains popularity in Florida, with many expecting him to run for the GOP nomination in 2012. [Photo courtesy of Duval County GOP.]The Jacksonville GOP has made arrangements to increase general seating for ‘An Evening with Governor Mitt Romney,’ scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9, at the Hyatt Regency on the St. John’s River. Tickets are on sale at the Duval GOP headquarters online.

GOP supporter Thomas F. Petway III will be honored for his service to the party at the local, state and national levels. Petway III is also a Circle of Gold recipient from the Florida State University Alumni Asso. and recipient of the F. Prime Osborn, III Distinguished Business Leaders Award from the University of North Florida.

General seating tickets are available at the same prices charged in 2006, “out of respect for the current economic situation,” according to Duval Republican Chairman Lenny Curry.

In spite of economic downturns, Curry said the financial support from sponsors has been unprecedented. "Duval Republican grassroots members are fired up and our donors are eager to make a difference in the 2010 election cycle by providing the finance necessary to make the mighty grassroots an unprecedented success." 

The Duval GOP is often viewed as a model for the nation, with a central headquarters, a minority headquarters and a newly opened beaches location. Chairman Curry and Florida Federation of Republican Women president Cindy Graves anchor the popular talk radio show ‘What’s the Buzz’ on Thursdays, broadcast live on 1320 WBOB AM and streamed live on the Web.

Tagg Romney visited Jacksonville during the primary campaigns in 2008. You won't meet a nicer person. [Photo by Kay B. Day]Romney was the choice for GOP voters in northeastern Florida’s Duval and St. John’s counties, receiving 41.4 percent and 42.9 percent respectively in the 2008 GOP primary. Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) was favored in counties like Palm Beach and Miami-Dade. Many fiscal and small government conservatives still believe Romney had the capability and experience to work through difficult economic times. GOP supporters did cast votes for McCain in the general once he received the party nomination.

Curry commented on the mass appeal of Mitt Romney not only as a political leader but as a successful entrepreneur. "Governor Romney possesses a wealth of knowledge of national and global economic issues and his long list of successes in business is unrivaled."

Many fiscal and small government conservatives also agree with Romney’s assessment of the Democrat ‘Stimulus’ plan. Appearing on CBS’ The Early Show, Romney slammed the stimulus, saying while the White House argued America needed the stimulus package to avoid high unemployment, “the scenario they forecast would occur without the stimulus is now the very scenario they’re forecasting is going to occur (anyway).”

The fact the US jobless rate is approaching 10 percent  makes an easily grasped statement about lack of impact from billions of dollars spent by the current administration and Congress as Democrats have absolute control of the US government at present, setting records for spending more taxpayer money than any other administration or Congress in U.S. history.

Many political analysts expect Romney to run again in 2012.  Guests at the Lincoln Day celebration will be among the first to hear ideas about solutions from the charismatic former governor of Massachusetts.  Doors at the Hyatt Regency downtown on the waterfront open at 5:30 p.m. on Monday for the visit with Romney to celebrate Lincoln Day in honor of President Abraham Lincoln, founder of the Grand Old Party or the Gallant Old party, depending on the historical account one agrees with. Dinner is at 7 p.m.